Kimberley, founder of HiKo Hounds.
About HiKo Hounds
Hi, I'm
Kimberley.
Built on understanding. Inspired by a very special dog. Driven by a love for them all.
Hi, I'm Kimberley, the founder of HiKo Hounds, and the very proud dog mum to three American Akitas who have shaped not only my life, but the business I've built: Hiro, Koda and Yuji.
My journey into professional dog walking began in November 2019, but the story behind HiKo Hounds started long before that.
At the heart of it all was Hiro.
Though sadly now no longer with us, Hiro was my boy, my greatest teacher, and the inspiration behind so much of what HiKo Hounds has become. Both Hiro and Koda taught me first-hand what life with a reactive dog can look like. The challenges, the judgement, the constant need to think three steps ahead, and the difficulty of finding people who truly understand that a dog who struggles in certain situations is no less deserving of love, patience, adventure and a fulfilling life.
I knew how it felt to worry about whether somebody else would understand my dogs. Whether they would respect their boundaries, recognise their triggers, and see the wonderful personalities behind the behaviours that others might find challenging.
And I knew I couldn't be the only owner who felt that way, so I set out to create the kind of dog walking service I would have wanted for my own dogs.
One where dogs weren't expected to fit into a particular mould. Where nervousness wasn't an inconvenience, reactivity wasn't an automatic rejection, and every dog was treated as an individual with their own personality, preferences and needs.
Today, HiKo Hounds is a team of dedicated, compassionate dog walkers who share the same values that inspired me to start this journey. People who understand that building trust takes time. That the little victories can be the biggest achievements. That some dogs need confidence, some need reassurance, some need space, and others simply need a wonderful adventure with someone who adores them.
Every dog deserves to be understood.
Although our passion for supporting reactive and nervous dogs remains a huge part of who we are, HiKo Hounds is a welcoming place for dogs of all personalities. From the confident, happy-go-lucky adventurers to the sensitive souls who need a little extra encouragement, our approach remains the same. We adapt our service to your dog, rather than expecting your dog to adapt to us.
Our solo walks allow us to focus entirely on the dogs in our care, building meaningful relationships and providing experiences tailored to their individual needs. We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, because no two dogs are the same.
And behind every walk is a team who genuinely cares about the dogs entrusted to us.